ONTARIO – The city has extended its contract with a political consultant to improve Ontario’s relations with Los Angeles World Airports.

The City Council recently agreed to give the city manager the authority to extend the consultant’s contract through the end of this month. The contract could be worth up to $150,000.

Last year, Ontario officials brought in the Los Angeles based-Englander, Knabe and Allen consulting firm to assist them as the city explores the option of resuming control of L.A./Ontario International Airport.

“They have the depth and knowledge in working with a city like Los Angeles,” City Manager Chris Hughes said.

The political consulting firm also has experience in airline management and air service marketing, which Hughes said is critical as Ontario continues “negotiations with L.A. officials and each determine what each other wants.”

In December, Councilman Alan Wapner requested that the city manager meet with LAWA – which operates the Ontario airport – to discuss its regionalization efforts as well as the possibility of taking control of the airport.

At that time, Wapner asked that the city manager bring back a report with his findings to the council. The report has yet to be given to the council.

Hughes said he will report back when substantial progress has been made.

Wapner said he sees the consultant contract extension as a positive.

“They have gone through the fact-finding stage, and the next step would be start discussions with the city of L.A. to see if they are open to the possibility of turning over control,” Wapner said.

In recent years, Ontario officials have noticed a lack of communication when it comes to the Ontario airport between LAWA and the city of Los Angeles.

But with the consultant’s help, progress is being made, Wapner said.

Last month, the Los Angeles City Council asked city staff and LAWA to conduct a study on the feasibility of returning control of the Ontario airport to Ontario.

Los Angeles staff members will report their findings by September to the Los Angeles Transportation as well as Budget and Finance committees.

Liset Márquez covers the cities of Pomona, Claremont, La Verne and San Dimas for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. A beat reporter for the Bulletin since 2006, she previously wrote for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. She keeps a watchful eye on city councils and the Dodgers.